New Orleans Tasting Menu: Josh Adamo to Open Twelve and Bar DND at 1800 Magazine

Josh Adamo has 90,000 Instagram followers documenting the renovation of a Lower Garden District space he plans to convert into a high-end dining destination. The 31-year-old chef, formerly of Emeril’s downtown, will operate two distinct venues at 1800 Magazine Street in the location that previously housed Gris Gris.

The ground floor will house Twelve, a tasting menu restaurant with limited seating. Adamo describes the concept as strictly 12 seats for 12 courses. The menu will rotate to tell a story, blending influences from Adamo’s time in Michelin-starred kitchens in Europe with local Louisiana ingredients. He aims to source produce both locally and globally to position the state as a culinary hub in North America.

Upstairs, Bar DND will serve an à la carte menu alongside elevated cocktails. The name stands for Do Not Disturb, reflecting a design intent for patrons to disconnect from their phones. The menu draws from Adamo’s experiences dining in London, offering what he calls simple, approachable, and fun food in a lively environment. The bar is designed to function as a standalone dining option any day of the week.

Both locations are scheduled to open in 2027. Adamo indicated that Bar DND should be ready by February, with Twelve opening later in the spring. This timeline follows Adamo’s departure from Emeril’s in early 2025, after which he worked as a restaurant consultant while planning his own venture. He moved to New Orleans after years working in Canada and France, having met Emeril Lagasse in Monaco during a stint at a Ducasse property.

The renovation process has been public due to Adamo’s social media presence. In early October, shortly after signing the lease, he discovered the back door of the space was broken open with the deadbolt lock damaged. He shared surveillance footage of the incident, noting that alarms triggered and no expensive kitchen equipment had yet been installed. He described the discovery as shocking and emphasized a renewed focus on security.

Adamo attributes his continued presence in the city to a supportive network of friends. He acknowledged the pressure of the project, stating that he focuses on completing one important task per day. Gris Gris, which occupied the space until July after more than a decade in operation, closed due to struggles with pre-pandemic traffic levels. The former venue was recently featured in national news regarding rising costs in the restaurant industry.